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Paenga-Amosa eyes Wallabies return after signing Super Rugby deal
By AAP
Former Australia hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is heading back to Super Rugby Pacific after signing a long-term deal with the Western Force.
The 14-cap Wallaby will head home after three seasons in French rugby, where he won the Top 14 title in 2022 with Montpellier.
Set to arrive in Perth in June, Paenga-Amosa is the Force's second big-name signing in as many weeks after they recruited veteran back Kurtley Beale.
Paenga-Amosa said the chance to win back a Wallabies spot had inspired his return to Australia.
"I'm so keen to be back in Australia, it's home," he said.
"Returning to Australia and putting my hand up for the Wallabies again was a big attraction after three seasons in France with Montpellier.
"I'm big on culture both on and off the field, so adding to the culture that is already being established is one of the key focus points for me."
Paenga-Amosa won't join the Force until the end of the French season, meaning he won't play SRP for the side until 2025.
But he will be eligible to be picked as a domestic player for the Wallabies' next batch of internationals, which start with a match against Wales in Sydney on July 6.
Australia's hooker stocks at last year's disastrous World Cup included Matt Faessler, David Porecki and Jordan Uelese.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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